t3llem تعلّم
Moroccan Darija · verb
“t3llem” (تعلّم) is a verb in Moroccan Darija meaning to learn, acquire knowledge.
Meanings
- to learn, acquire knowledge
- to learn to do something
Usage
A very common verb, used in all registers. It is used with a noun (t3llem lfransawiya, "to learn French") or directly followed by another conjugated verb, with no preposition: t3llem ysog, "he learned to drive". The imperfective is kayt3llem or kat3llem. Not to be confused with 3llem, without the initial t, which means "to teach, to teach someone". For an experienced person, mt3llem is often used. The verb is also used figuratively, for example for "learning a lesson" from a situation.
Example
تعلّم وصفة جديدة
t3ellem wSfa jdida
“He learned a new recipe.”
Conjugation
Forms as recorded in DODa and reproduced in its spelling, which often leaves out short vowels.
| Imperfective (present) | Perfective (past) | Imperative | |
|---|---|---|---|
| ana (I) | kant3llm | t3llmt | |
| nta (you, m.) | katt3llm | t3llmti | t3llm |
| nti (you, f.) | katt3llmi | t3llmti | t3llmi |
| howa (he) | kayt3llm | t3llm | |
| hiya (she) | katt3llm | t3llmat | |
| 7na (we) | kant3llmo | t3llmna | |
| ntouma (you, pl.) | katt3llmo | t3llmto | t3llmo |
| homa (they) | kayt3llmo | t3llmo |
How to write it in Latin letters
In Arabizi, Darija written in Latin letters, you will find “t3llem” but also “t3lem”, “t3allam”, “t3ellem”, “t3llm” and “t3elem”. No spelling is official: people write the sounds as they hear them.
Digits stand in for Arabic letters that have no Latin equivalent: 3 is ayn (ع), a voiced sound from deep in the throat with no English equivalent.
Type “t3llem” on the Arabic keyboard
In Algerian Darja
Spelt the same way in Arabic, the word also exists in Algerian Darja, where it means “to learn, to study”; “to get used to”: t3allem in Algerian.
In Tunisian Derja
Spelt the same way in Arabic, the word also exists in Tunisian Derja, where it means “to learn, to be taught”; “to get used to, pick up a habit”: t3allem in Tunisian.